Recycling automotive phosphate rinse water stream

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to recycling automotive phosphate rinse water. An apparatus and method is disclosed for treating process water containing phosphate. The apparatus may include a process water line. The process water line may be in fluid communication with a sample process water line. The sample process water line may be in fluid communication with a dilution line. The sample process water line, the dilution line, and a phosphate analyzer may be in fluid communication with a diluted process water line. The apparatus may also include a chemical additive feed line in fluid communication with the process water line downstream from the sample process water line.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to recycling water. Moreparticularly, the disclosure pertains to recycling automotive rinsewater.

2. Description of the Related Art

Preparing car bodies for painting involves a series of pre-treatmentstages. One of pre-treatment stages protects the car body from corrosionby treating the car body with anti-corrosion agents, such as zincphosphate. The phosphating process improves adhesion of the paint primerto the metal in addition to serving as an anti-corrosion treatment.

Prior to the phosphating process, the car body may be washed with acleaning agent to remove oils and dirt. The car body may then passthrough several rinse stages before the activation and phosphate diptreatments. After the phosphate dip, the car body is rinsed and thentreated with a passivation spray. Passivation can include otherchemicals that enhance the anti-corrosion properties of the phosphatecoating.

The rinsing stages require significant quantities of water to removeexcess phosphate from the car body. Phosphate contaminated rinse waterpresents challenges for treatment and reuse, one of which is that thephosphate levels in the used rinse water can vary significantly. Thisvariation can result in overdosing of expensive phosphate controlagents.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an apparatus for treating water containingphosphate is disclosed. The apparatus may include a process water line;a sample process water line in fluid communication with the processwater line; a dilution line in fluid communication with the sampleprocess water line; a diluted process water line in fluid communicationwith the sample process water line, dilution line, and a phosphateanalyzer; and a chemical additive feed line in fluid communication withthe process water line downstream from the sample process water line.

In some embodiments, the sample process water line and the dilution lineeach include an oval gear meter.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a bypass water line influid communication with the process water line.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include an ultrafiltration unitin line with the process water line.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a reverse osmosis unit inline with the process water line.

In some embodiments, the process water line, the sample process waterline, the dilution line, the diluted process water line, and thechemical additive feed line may each include a control valve.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a programmed logiccontroller in communication with the phosphate analyzer.

In some embodiments, the process water line may include a flow meter.

In some embodiments, the chemical additive feed line may include a flowmeter and a chemical feed pump.

In other embodiments, a method of treating water is disclosed. Themethod may include diverting a portion of process water comprisingphosphate; diluting the portion of the process water with dilution waterto form diluted process water; passing to diluted process water into aphosphate analyzer; determining a phosphate concentration of the dilutedprocess water; and determining a phosphate concentration of the processwater using a ratio of a dilution water flow rate to a flow rate of theportion of the process water and the phosphate concentration of thediluted process water.

In some embodiments, the method may include calculating an amount of aphosphate control additive to add to the process water.

In some embodiments, the method may include injecting the phosphatecontrol additive into the process water to form treated water.

In some embodiments, the phosphate control additive may be selected fromferric sulfate, ferric chloride, sodium aluminate, aluminumchlorohydrate, aluminum, aluminum chloride, polyaluminum chloride,cerium chloride, calcium-based coagulant, anionic polymer flocculant,and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the phosphate control additive may be selected fromferric sulfate, ferric chloride, and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the method may include passing the portion of theprocess water through a flow meter.

In some embodiments, the method may include passing the dilution waterthrough a flow meter.

In some embodiments, the flow meter may be an oval gear meter.

In some embodiments, the method may include passing the treated waterthrough a filtration system.

In some embodiments, the method may include passing the treated waterthrough the filtration system when the phosphate concentration in thediluted process water is below about 50 ppm.

In certain embodiments, a method of treating process water used in anautomotive phosphating process is disclosed. The method may includepassing diluted process water into a phosphate analyzer, wherein thediluted process water may be a mixture of the process water and dilutionwater.

In some embodiments, the method may include determining a phosphateconcentration of the diluted process water; determining a phosphateconcentration of the process water using a ratio of a dilution waterflow rate to a flow rate of the process water that passed through anoval gear meter and the phosphate concentration of the diluted processwater; and calculating an amount of a phosphate control additive to addto the process water.

In some embodiments, the method may include injecting the phosphatecontrol additive into the process water to form treated water; andpassing the treated water through a filtration system.

In some embodiments, use of an apparatus in a method of treating wateris disclosed. The apparatus may include a process water line; a sampleprocess water line in fluid communication with the process water line; adilution line in fluid communication with the sample process water line;a diluted process water line in fluid communication with the sampleprocess water line, dilution line, and a phosphate analyzer; and achemical additive feed line in fluid communication with the processwater line downstream from the sample process water line.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present disclosure in order that the detaileddescription that follows may be better understood. Additional featuresand advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that formthe subject of the claims of this application. It should be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that the conception and the specificembodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifyingor designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of thepresent disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in theart that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described withspecific reference being made to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of an embodiment of an apparatus for treatingwater containing phosphate;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of an embodiment of an apparatus that includesa reverse osmosis unit for treating water containing phosphate;

FIG. 3 shows the effluent phosphate level in treated water as a functionof increasing dosages of different phosphate control additives;

FIG. 4 shows the effluent phosphate level in treated water as a functionof increasing dosages of ferric chloride and ferric sulfate afterfiltering with a membrane with 0.1 μm pore size;

FIG. 5 shows the effluent phosphate level in treated water as a functionof increasing dosages of different phosphate control additives; and

FIG. 6 shows the effect of pH on the effluent phosphate levels of watertreated with ferric sulfate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described below. The relationship andfunctioning of the various elements of the embodiments may better beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description. However,embodiments are not limited to those illustrated below. In certaininstances details may have been omitted that are not necessary for anunderstanding of embodiments disclosed herein.

To optimize the chemical dosage for phosphate control before treatmentrequires measuring the phosphate level in the process water. Theselevels can vary on a rinse stage depending on the operating conditions,e.g., production rate (automotive throughput) and dilution (counterflow). Additionally, the phosphate levels can reach levels greater thanabout 300 ppm. Commercial online phosphate monitoring systems, such asHACH Phosphax™, are limited to about 50 ppm with sampling times of about5-10 minutes. The HACH Phosphax cannot accurately determine thephosphate concentration in water containing greater than about 50 ppm.

Phosphate in the water can lead to fouling of reverse osmosis membranes.Reusing the overflow water from an automotive phosphating process bytreatment with a reverse osmosis system requires control of thephosphate concentration to avoid membrane fouling.

To address this drawback, one approach is to isolate the process flowline from the conditioning section, inject treatment chemical, and usethe online monitor to adjust the treatment chemical to achieve atargeted phosphate level. The phosphate analyzer samples the water thatis already treated with the chemical. Operating in this conditionrequires initially overdosing the treatment chemical followed bygradually optimizing the dosage based on the process and chemical feedflow rates. Besides using unnecessary amounts of treatment chemical, thetreated water may not be fed to the filtration system until the dosageis optimized leading additional and unnecessary water waste.

The apparatus embodiments and method embodiments disclosed hereinaddress the aforementioned drawbacks resulting in a system that reduceswater usage and eliminates waste of treatment chemicals.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is disclosed for treating processwater containing phosphate. The apparatus may include a process waterline. The process water line may be in fluid communication with a sampleprocess water line. The sample process water line may be in fluidcommunication with a dilution line. The sample process water line, thedilution line, and a phosphate analyzer may be in fluid communicationwith a diluted process water line. The apparatus may also include achemical additive feed line in fluid communication with the processwater line downstream from the sample process water line.

It is envisioned that the apparatus can be installed in any processsystem where the treatment of phosphate contaminated water is desired.The apparatus may be particularly useful in systems for treatingautomotive rinse water; however, the apparatus is not necessarilylimited to treating rinse overflow water used in automotive processes.

In some embodiments, the sample process water line and the dilution linemay each include flow meter. In some embodiments, the sample processwater line and the dilution line may each include an oval gear meter.Oval gear meters measure discrete amounts of liquid where accuratevolume dispensing may be desired.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a bypass water line influid communication with the process water line. In some embodiments,the bypass water line may be connected with the process water line atany point after the sample process water line.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a filtration system inline with the process water line. In some embodiments, the filtrationsystem may be an ultrafiltration unit. The ultrafiltration unit mayinclude a filtration membrane with a pore size ranging from about 0.01microns to about 0.5 microns. In some embodiments, the filtrationmembrane may have a pore size ranging from about 0.02 microns to about0.1 microns. In some embodiments, the filtration membrane may have apore size ranging of about 0.02 microns. In some embodiments, thefiltration membrane may have a pore size ranging of about 0.05 microns.In some embodiments, the filtration membrane may have a pore sizeranging of about 0.1 microns.

In some embodiments, the filtration system may be a reverse osmosisunit. In some embodiments, the filtration system may include anultrafiltration unit and a reverse osmosis unit in series.

In some embodiments, the process water line, the sample process waterline, the dilution line, the diluted process water line, and thechemical additive feed line may each independently include a controlvalve. In some embodiments, the sample process water line and thedilution line may include a check valve.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a programmed logiccontroller in communication with the phosphate analyzer. The phosphateanalyzer may be but is not limited to a HACH Phosphax™ analyzer.

In some embodiments, the process water line may include a flow meter. Insome embodiments, the chemical additive feed line may include a flowmeter and a chemical feed pump.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show embodiments of the apparatus. The process waterline 10 may be in fluid communication with a sample process water line11. The sample process water line 11 may be in fluid communication witha dilution line 12. The sample process water line 11, the dilution line12, and a phosphate analyzer 13 may be in fluid communication with adiluted process water line 14. The apparatus may also include a chemicaladditive feed line 15 in fluid communication with the process water line10 and downstream from the sample process water line 11. The processwater line 10 and the chemical additive feed line 15 may comprise a flowmeter 16. The sample process line 11 and the dilution line 12 may bothcomprise flow meters 17 and the flow meters 17 may be oval gear meters.FIGS. 1 and 2 also show that the apparatus may include a bypass waterline 18. The apparatus may also include an ultrafiltration system 19.Control valves 20 may be used to control the flow of process water. Acontroller 21, such as a programmed logic controller, may be connectedto the control valves 20, flow meters 16 and 17, phosphate analyzer 13,and chemical feed pump 22 via any suitable electrical connection 27.Process water may be fed into the process water line 10 from aphosphatizing process 23. Dilution water may be fed into the dilutionline 12 from any suitable water source 24. The chemical feed pump 22 maypump chemicals from a chemical additive holding tank 25 into the processwater line 10. The location of injection into the process water line 10should be at a certain distance 26 from the ultrafiltration system 19.In addition, the sample process water line 11 and the dilution line 12may both comprise check valves 28. Waste water may be directed toeffluent holding tanks 29 for further treatment or disposal. FIG. 2shows an embodiment where a reverse osmosis unit 30 may be in serieswith the ultrafiltration system 19.

In some embodiments, a method of treating water is disclosed. The methodmay include diverting a portion of process water comprising phosphateand diluting the portion of the process water with dilution water toform diluted process water. The method may include passing the dilutedprocess water into a phosphate analyzer to determine the phosphateconcentration. The phosphate concentration in the process water can bedetermined using a ratio of the dilution water flow rate to a flow rateof the portion of the process water or diverted process water and thephosphate concentration of the diluted process water.

In some embodiments, the method may include calculating an amount of aphosphate control additive to add to the process water. Based on thephosphate levels in the process water, a predetermined proportion of thephosphate control additive can be added to the process water to removephosphate. In some embodiments, the method may include injecting thephosphate control additive into the process water to form treated water.

The phosphate control additive can be, but is not limited to, ferricsulfate, ferric chloride, sodium aluminate, aluminum chlorohydrate,aluminum, aluminum chloride, polyaluminum chloride, cerium chloride,calcium-based coagulant, anionic polymer flocculant, or any combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the phosphate control additive may be asalt of iron(III). In some embodiments, the phosphate control additivemay be ferric chloride. In some embodiments, the phosphate controladditive may be ferric sulfate. In some embodiments, the phosphatecontrol additive may be sodium aluminate. In some embodiments, thephosphate control additive may be polyaluminum chloride. In someembodiments, the phosphate control additive may be aluminumchlorohydrate. In some embodiments, the phosphate control additive maybe cerium chloride.

In some embodiments, the method may include passing the treated waterthrough a filtration system. The filtration system may be anultrafiltration unit as described above or a reverse osmosis system, forexample.

In some embodiments, the treated water is passed through the filtrationsystem when the phosphate concentration in the diluted process water isbelow about 50 ppm. In some embodiments, the phosphate concentration inthe diluted process water may be below about 40 ppm, about 30 ppm, orabout 20 ppm when the treated water is passed through the filtrationsystem.

In some embodiments, the process water may bypass the filtration systemuntil the phosphate concentration in the diluted process water reachesthe detection limit of the phosphate analyzer. In some embodiments, themethod may include diverting the process water before reaching thefiltration system until the phosphate concentration in the dilutedprocess water reaches a predetermined phosphate concentration. Thepredetermined phosphate concentration may be the highest level ofphosphate that the phosphate analyzer can reliably detect. Thepredetermined phosphate concentration may be about 50 ppm.

In some embodiments, the method may include passing the portion of theprocess water through a flow meter. The process water that is divertedfrom the main process line may be diluted then analyzed in the phosphateanalyzer to determine the phosphate concentration. The flow rate of thediverted process water may be determined using any of the flow metersdescribed in the present application. In some embodiments, the flowmeter may be an oval gear meter.

In some embodiments, the method may include passing the dilution waterthrough a flow meter. The means for determining the flow rate of thedilution water may be as described in the present application. In someembodiments, the flow rate of the dilution water may be determined usingan oval gear meter. The dilution water may be mixed with the portion ofthe process water or that process water that is diverted for sampling.

In some embodiments, a method of treating process water used in anautomotive phosphating process may include passing the process waterthrough an oval gear meter and passing dilution water through an ovalgear meter. The method may include diluting the process water with thedilution water to form a diluted process water. The diluted processwater may then be fed into a phosphate analyzer to determine thephosphate concentration of the diluted process water. The phosphateconcentration in the process water can be determined using the ratio ofthe dilution water flow rate to the flow rate of the process water thatpassed through the oval gear meter and the phosphate concentration ofthe diluted process water. Once the phosphate concentration in theprocess water has been determined the amount of phosphate controladditive to inject into the process water can be calculated. Thephosphate control additive may be injected into the process water toform treated water. After injecting the phosphate control additive intothe process water, the treated water may be passed through a filtrationsystem.

In some embodiments, the method may include injecting the phosphatecontrol additive at a position in the process water line that will allowfor sufficient mixing before the treated water enters the filtrationsystem. The injection location on the process water line can bedetermined by one of skill in the art. Factors that may influence thedistance between the injection position and the filtration system may beflow rate, pipe size, injection means, and phosphate control additive.

The phosphate control additive may be injected into the process waterusing a quill or Pareto™ device. One of skill in the art will appreciatethat any injection means may be used that allows the phosphate controladditive to mix efficiently with the process water.

The method steps may be controlled from a central controller using thesignals from the flow meters, control valve state, chemical feed pump,and PO₄ analyzer. Implementation of this control strategy addresses therisk associated with potential RO membrane fouling.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Several different phosphate control additives were tested; the differentchemistries and their trade names/identification are listed below inTable 1.

TABLE 1 Chemistries tested and their identification. Phosphate ControlAdditive Identification Chemistry Additive 1 Ferric sulfate Additive 2Aluminum chlorohydrate Additive 3 Cerium chloride Additive 4 Highmolecular weight anionic inverse emulsion flocculant Additive 5 38 wt %solution of sodium aluminate Additive 6 Zirconium modified polyaluminumchloride Additive 7 Polyaluminum chloride Additive 8 Aluminum chloride(AlCl₃)

FIG. 3 shows a blended phosphate water stream treated with andincreasing dosage of Additive 1 or Additive 2, and the resultingeffluent phosphate concentrations. Total phosphate in the phosphatewater stream before treatment was about 90 ppm. The product dosage asppm neat product is labeled on the horizontal axis, and effluentphosphate (PO₄) in ppm is on the vertical axis. The data represented bysquares represent water treated with Additive 1, while the diamondsrepresent water treated with Additive 2. Both chemistries were testedand effluent was measured before filtering (dotted line) and afterfiltering (solid line) with a 0.45 micron filter. A measurement of theuntreated but filtered water was also performed indicated by the blackdashed line (˜45 ppm). Lastly, the dashed line labeled Additive 3 showsthat chemistry's overall trend in performance in reducing phosphateconcentration.

Initial COI results from testing Additive 1 and Additive 2 indicate thatthree major findings: 1) Low level phosphate results can be achievedwith chemistry and equipment combination; 2) Additive 1 appears to bemore effective at removing phosphate than Additive 2; and 3) Filteringthe samples greatly reduced the effluent phosphate readings. Filteringthe untreated sample removed more phosphate than using a chemistrylisted in Table 1 without filtering. Other tests were completed toevaluate mixing time, which showed no significant change in effluentphosphate levels between about 5 and about 15 minutes.

Example 2

Table 2 shows 11 chemistry tests completed on phosphate recycle water,and the corresponding effluent phosphate results. The top row of thetable is labeled for what each column filled in below represents. The pHof the water was tested before and after adding the chemistry at thedosage indicated in the Table below. Three phosphate measurements takenon the effluent which include: total, organic and inorganic phosphate.All values besides pH are in parts per million. Three differentchemistries and combinations were tested including products Additive 2,Additive 3, and FeCl₃.

TABLE 2 Chemistry effect on phosphate levels. Total Org InOrg DosageDosage PO₄ PO₄ PO₄ Sample pH Chemistry 1 (ppm) Chemistry 2 (ppm) pHf(ppm) (ppm) (ppm) Base 49 <49 49  1 11.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A 11.5 1.8 <1.8 0 2 8.21 Additive 2 250 N/A N/A 8.0 11 <11 0  3 8.3 Additive 2 350 N/AN/A 7.8 11 1 10  4 N/A Additive 3 400 N/A N/A 7.3 2.7 0.1 2.6  5 N/AAdditive 3 500 N/A N/A 7.3 1.6 0.1 1.5  6 N/A Additive 3 700 N/A N/A 7.3<1.0 <1.0 <1.0  7 N/A FeCl₃ 125 N/A N/A 6.75 32 <32 32  8 N/A FeCl₃ 200N/A N/A 6.75 27 3 24  9 N/A FeCl₃ 150 Additive 3 300 6.6 <1.0 <1.0 <1.010 8.6 Additive 2 250 Additive 3 300 7.93 1.4 1.3 <0.2 11 8.23 Additive2 150 Additive 3 300 7.88 <1.0 <1.3 <1.0

Example 3

Ferric chloride (about 40 wt % the balance being water) and ferricsulfate (Additive 1) were compared to each other on a phosphate streammix, with a starting phosphate level of about 110 ppm. FIG. 4 shows adosage curve for ferric chloride and ferric sulfate on a blendedphosphate stream with resulting effluent phosphate measurements afterfiltering with a 0.1 μm filter. The horizontal axis shows product dosagein ppm, and the vertical axis shows effluent phosphate (total) in ppm.The untreated sample measured at 110 ppm phosphate.

Ferric chloride and ferric sulfate had similar results, both showingthey could reduce phosphate down to single digits after filtering.Ferric sulfate had a slight performance advantage under about 600 ppm.Other chemistries of interest were tested in the same manner as aboveincluding Additive 3, Additive 8, Additive 7, Additive 5 and a supplierproduct (Additive 6). Their optimum dosage and resulting phosphatemeasurement are shown in Table 3 below. These results show that Additive7 and Additive 5, ferric chloride, and ferric sulfate are the mosteffective products in removing phosphate. All products were tested at pHbetween about 6.5 and about 7.

Table 3 shows seven chemistry tests completed on phosphate recycle waterand the corresponding effluent phosphate results. The phosphateconcentration was measured after filtering with a 0.1 μm filter.

TABLE 3 Effluent phosphate concentration using different chemistries.Chemistry Dosage (ppm) Results (ppm Phosphate) Additive 3 400 8.9 AlCl₃600 5.5 Additive 7 600 0.7 Additive 6 500; 600 22.3; 0.4 Additive 5 7000 Ferric chloride 600 1.5 (40%) Additive 1 600 2.2

FIG. 5 shows the full dosage curves for the chemistries tested above.Additive 3, Additive 7, ferric sulfate and ferric chloride (40%)demonstrated superior phosphate removal based on performance. Singledigit phosphate numbers were achieved at around about 500 to about 600ppm. All tests were completed at pH about 6.5-7. The phosphateconcentration was measured after filtering with a 0.1 μm filter. Thehorizontal axis shows product dosage in ppm, and the vertical showseffluent phosphate (total) in ppm. The untreated sample measured atabout 110 ppm phosphate.

Example 4

To see the effect of pH on the sample, about 500 ppm of Additive 1 wastested on the phosphate stream at pH about 5.7, about 6.2, about 7.3 andabout 9.2. This pH adjustment was done after the product was dosed intothe sample; thereby, allowing the sample to react at the certain pH.Effluent phosphate showed similar results for all pH values at and abovea pH of about 6.2. Phosphate removal was unaffected by pH at or above apH of about 6.5.

FIG. 6 shows phosphate measurements after the phosphate water stream wastreated with about 500 ppm of Additive 1. The horizontal axis showssample pH, and the vertical axis shows effluent phosphate in ppm. Eachtest was adjusted to a different pH after Additive 1 addition to see theeffect of pH on phosphate removal. The phosphate concentration wasmeasured after filtering with a 0.1 μm filter. One data point, at pH ofabout 6.5, was collected at a different time than the other samples, butwas tested on the same water.

Example 5

Field and pilot trials were conducted to test feasibility on a largerscale. Additive 7 and Additive 1 were chosen for the pilot study basedon cost and phosphate removal performance. The reaction and filteringsteps were scaled up. Filtering was performed using an ultrafiltrationmembrane with a pore size of about 0.05 or about 0.02 μm. Results showedthat about 800 ppm of Additive 7 or about 650 ppm of Additive 1 wereable to achieve an effluent phosphate level of about 3 ppm or less.Results are shown below in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Pilot study using Additive 7 or Additive 1 and ultrafiltration.Initial pH Filter Hach PO₄ CA ICP CA before Pore Measure- PhosphorusTotal Chemistry Chemistry Size ment (Theoretical PO₄ and Dose addition(μm) (ppm) PO₄) (ppm) (ppm) Additive 7; 8 0.02 0.9 0.51 (1.6) <5 800 ppm8 0.05 1 0.57 (1.9) <5 Additive 1; 7.5 0.02 1.3 0.83 (2.7) <5 650 ppmUnknown 0.05 1.5 0.81 (2.6) <5 No Treatment — — — 39 (125) 110

The labeled columns describe the chemistry tested, the pH adjustmentbefore chemical addition, the filter size used, the HACH phosphateanalyzer reading onsite, the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) result foreffluent phosphorous, and the total phosphate in the sample.

Additionally, the pH within the working tanks was adjusted afteraddition of the chemicals. Mixing for coagulation was provided by acentrifugal pump that recirculated the rinse water in the working tanksuntil a stable floc was observed. Phosphate concentrations were measuredonsite by Nalco using HACH analytical test kits and a portablespectrophotometer. A single 6′ long×0.5″ diameter polyvinylidenefluoride tubular membrane module was used for solids separation.Membranes pore sizes of about 0.02 and about 0.05 microns were tested,each module contained a membrane surface area of about 0.75 ft².

The chemically precipitated rinse water in the working tank was pumpedthrough the membrane modules at a crossflow velocity of approximately3.5 meters/second and the retentate was recirculated back to therespective working tank. The permeate was directed to sample containersso that it could be tested both onsite for phosphorus and offsite usingICP.

It was determined that both membranes (with the 0.02 and 0.05 micronpore sizes) were adequate for phosphorus and solids removal to provide asuitable permeate for reverse osmosis feed water. Additionally Nalcosolutions Additive 7 and Additive 1 were also suitable to achieve thetreatment goals.

Example 6

Table 5 shows the theoretical removal rate vs the experimental removalrate for 1 ppm of product to remove 1 ppm of phosphate. For theexperimental rate, data points were averaged from the lowest dosage, cutoff at the dosage able to achieve less than about 2 ppm phosphate.

TABLE 5 Theoretical removal rate compared to experimental resultsTheoretical Removal Average Experimental Product Rate Result FeCl₃ (40wt %) 4.3 4.7 Ferric sulfate 3.4 4.2 (50 wt %) Aluminum 6.6 7.2chlorohydrate (50 wt %) Aluminum chloride 4.6 5.2 (40 wt %) Aluminum(dry) 3.3 5.7 Polyaluminum — 4.2 chloride

In the drawings, 8117 refers to polyaluminum chloride, TX16356 is adefoamer, 8187 refers to Additive 2, 8131 refers to Additive 1, mollyrefers to Additive 3, Alum refers to aluminum sulfate, x640 refers toAdditive 6, and Nalco 2 refers to sodium aluminate.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to the cited value being withinthe errors arising from the standard deviation found in their respectivetesting measurements, and if those errors cannot be determined, then“about” refers to within 10% of the cited value.

All of the compositions and methods disclosed and claimed herein can bemade and executed without undue experimentation in light of the presentdisclosure. While this invention may be embodied in many differentforms, there are described in detail herein specific preferredembodiments of the invention. The present disclosure is anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. Inaddition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, use of the term “a”is intended to include “at least one” or “one or more.” For example, “adevice” is intended to include “at least one device” or “one or moredevices.”

Any ranges given either in absolute terms or in approximate terms areintended to encompass both, and any definitions used herein are intendedto be clarifying and not limiting. Notwithstanding that the numericalranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention areapproximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examplesare reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however,inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompassany and all subranges (including all fractional and whole values)subsumed therein.

Furthermore, the invention encompasses any and all possible combinationsof some or all of the various embodiments described herein. It shouldalso be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and withoutdiminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that suchchanges and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for treating water containingphosphate, comprising: a process water line; a sample process water linein fluid communication with the process water line; a dilution line influid communication with the sample process water line; a dilutedprocess water line in fluid communication with the sample process waterline, dilution line, and a phosphate analyzer; and a chemical additivefeed line in fluid communication with the process water line downstreamfrom the sample process water line.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe sample process water line and the dilution line each comprise anoval gear meter.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising abypass water line in fluid communication with the process water line. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ultrafiltration unit ora reverse osmosis unit in line with the process water line.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the process water line, the sample processwater line, the dilution line, the diluted process water line, and thechemical additive feed line each comprise a control valve.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a programmed logic controllerin communication with the phosphate analyzer.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the process water line comprises a flow meter.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the chemical additive feed line comprisesa flow meter and a chemical feed pump.